Bombing puts Albuquerque on heightened awareness

Albuquerque police are on heightened alert following the bombings at the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon.

Chief Ray Schultz said his department got the alert 14 minutes after the first explosion, and began close watch.

"The real-time crime center has been monitoring this situation all day," he said. "We're also in contact with the New Mexico Fusion Center."

Schultz said they are also in contact with the FBI and Homeland Security.

His bomb squad, which is part of a national organization which shares intelligence, is studying the explosion.

"I know they're watching the investigation very closely," he explained. "Find out exactly the types of devices, how they were constructed and that will really tell the professionals where the device may have originated from."

But it's early in the investigation, and Schultz said he will have to wait and see if the marathon bombings are an isolated incident or part of a bigger plan.

"Anytime we have an event nationwide, we purposely make sure that we're paying attention at what's going on, to see if this is some kind of trend that's going on," Schultz said.

In the meantime, he's not taking any chances when it comes to the city's safety, especially with two major events coming up.

"Since we don't know the motive, there will be extra security in place for the Warrior Dash as well as Run for the Zoo."

APD isn't the only department being extra vigilant.

A representative for the Rail Runner said the Transportation Security Administration also issued an alert asking engineers and employees to take a closer look at their tracks, their cars, and report anything suspicious.

The Albuquerque Sunport says police have also been put on alert.

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